Elegance barge cruise

Elegance

Luxury barge cruises

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Cruising between Beziers and Homps on the Midi canal

Cruise highlights

6 passengers
★★★★★ 5 star rating

Highlights

  • Visit the 12th-century church of Colombiers
  • Pass through the world-famous Malpas Tunnel
  • Visit Pezenas, where Moliere created many of his characters: a city of art and history and fantastic viewpoints
  • Le Somail: visit the antique-book shop
  • See Narbonne: the Archbishop's Palace and museum
  • Discover the Cathar history at Minerve
  • UNESCO world heritage site: Carcassonne: visit the most complete medieval citadel in the world
  • Mediterranean beaches
  • Wine tasting, vineyards

Elegance cruise route & itinerary

Elegance cruise file

Prices

  • From 6000 USD per person
  • Charters from 25, 800 USD

Boat size

  • Length 98′5″ ft (30.00 metres)
  • Width 16′5″ ft (5.00 metres)

Specifications

  • Crew members : 4
  • Up to 6 guests
  • Junior suites : 3

Also

  • Central heating
  • Air-conditioning
  • Spa or pool
  • Wifi
  • CD player / iPod Dock
  • 2 electric bikes
  • Bicycles : 6

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About Elegance barge cruises

Luxury barge Elegance

Elegance is a deluxe hotel barge tastefully re-furnished throughout to provide a sophisticated interior and atmosphere akin to the Orient Express experience!

The barge provides superior accommodation for up to 6 guests in three contemporary double or twin junior suites, all with ensuite facilities. The accommodations and bathrooms have been completely refitted for the 2023 season.

There is a comfortable, stylish dining area and a light and airy saloon with picture windows in which to relax.

The large sundeck with spa pool from which to admire the passing countryside is the perfect place to enjoy the sunny weather, or you may like to explore along the famous towpath on our bicycles

  • Full central heating and air conditioning
  • Four crew
  • CD player/iPod Dock
  • Wifi (Subject to local reception)
  • 6 touring bikes
  • Air-conditioned minibus

Elegance deck and cabin plans

Elegance deck plan

Elegance cruise route & itinerary

From Portiragnes to Carcassonne map

From Portiragnes to Carcassonne

Canal du Midi

Rates

Sunday: Portiragnes

A member of the crew will welcome you at Beziers railway station at 4 PM and transfer you to your beautiful barge Elegance, moored in the enchanting countryside of the famous Canal du Midi.
A champagne reception hosted by your Captain will be served on deck as an excellent premise for your week's cruise.
You will then have plenty of time to meet the charming crew, discover the barge, and its environment and settle into your comfortable cabin before the first gourmet dinner on board.

Monday: Portiragnes - Capestang

Today be prepared for a very relaxing day.
You will be surprised by the peacefulness of the barge while gliding through this beautiful 16th-century canal.
We will stop in Colombiers, where you will have time to go for a walk before lunch and to visit the 12th-century church.
This afternoon our cruise will take us to the pretty village of Capestang, through the exciting Tunnel de Malpas, which dates back to 1679!
Famous for its unique structure, it is the earliest navigable tunnel built in Europe.
Quite an experience!

This is the perfect day to go for a bicycle ride or enjoy a hike while the barge is moving slowly.

Tuesday: Capestang - An idyllic spot!

After a morning cruise with many twists and turns, we will find a romantic mooring in the middle of the vines and arched trees.
This is a perfect spot to enjoy a gourmet lunch!

From this peaceful setting, we will visit Pezenas, a magical city full of art and history where you can admire the entire old town with its opulent period mansions, beautiful wrought-iron balconies, stone sculpture and ornate doorways.
Moliere is reputed to have created some of his famous characters in Pezenas.

Wednesday: Onward to Le Somail

Today we continue our slow pace towards Le Somail, an ancient fishing port now popular among our guests due to its local potters and artists drawn to this region by the beautiful light made famous by the Impressionists, but also the fascinating antique book shop.
Your guide can then drive you to the Roman town of Narbonne. Here you can go shopping around the old town centre with its various boutiques selling local products, visit the colourful covered market, explore the Archbishop's Palace, or the archaeological museum.

Alternatively, you may choose to spend your afternoon overlooking the glorious Mediterranean Sea and then visit the Olive factory at L'Oulibo, a prize-winning olive oil mill.

Enjoy some tasting and learn the secrets of the production of this precious oil and Tapenade too.

Thursday: Le Somail - Homps

Today we will enjoy a very scenic drive into the Minervois hills and Les Gorges de la Cesse to get to Minerve.
This amazing medieval village is perched on a spectacular rocky outcrop formed by the rivers Cesse and Brian.
Famous for its tragic Cathar history and wine countryside, this village is full of charm and history and not to be missed.
On the way back, how about a little wine tasting to discover more about the excellent wines this region has to offer?

There is now time to relax on deck, as your floating hotel is on the move to take you to a quiet mooring close to Homps.

Friday: Homps - Carcassonne

This is a day for photography!

Going through a couple of traditional locks, Elegance will cruise to our last mooring for the week, close to Carcassonne.
After lunch, you will have plenty of time to discover the world-famous walled medieval town la City of Carcassonne.
This extraordinary place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to be the most visited site in France.

If you have already visited the city, we can visit Lagrasse; an attractive village now home to numerous potters and artists attracted by the place itself and the renowned natural light of the region.

Don't miss the Abbey and the bridges, although the narrow medieval streets of the village itself are also beautiful, and the remains of the town walls can still be seen.

Saturday: Carcassonne

After a wonderful breakfast, your guide will take you to your hotel in Carcassonne or to the railway station to get to your next destination.
Au revoir!

We hope to see you again one day.

From Portiragnes to Carcassonne rates

2024 rates
Charter for 6 guests 39 000 USD
Charter for 5 guests 36, 000 USD
Charter for 4 guests 32, 500 USD
- Departure Dates  2023-
Regular May 7 to October 22

These are sample itineraries, on alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Availability for Elegance

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